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Earlier this year, Ohio farmers were projected to bring in a record-breaking crop. However, a rainy start to harvest season has made getting grain from the fields to the bins a challenge.

According to the Oct. 16 Ohio Agricultural Statistics Service report, soybeans harvested were at 42 percent, 8 days behind last year and 7 days behind the five-year average. Corn harvested for grain was at 14 percent, compared to 23 and 24 percent for last year and the five-year average, respectively.

"We're watching it rain," Seneca County farmer Duane King said earlier this month. "I've got 150 acres of wheat planted and 100 more I could plant if it would dry off at this point, so we could get more beans off," he said.

King said dry conditions in August hurt some of his early-planted soybeans, and he was cautiously optimistic that the rest of his crop would turn out better.

"In year's past we thought we were going to have better beans later and then we didn't," he said.

Peter Thomison, a corn researcher with Ohio State University, said earlier projections put corn yields at 160 bushels per acre, which would beat the 2004 record of 158 bushels per acre. Thomison said for the most part, growing conditions were good throughout the state this year.

"The major concern right now is getting this crop off," he said. As corn stalks weaken, they may not be able to support the weight of the corn produced with this year's high yields, he said.

Despite initial harvest delays, Thomison felt it would still be a good year for farmers.

"I think we're looking at an above average yield crop," he said.

Ron Hammond, an Ohio State research entomologist, said farmers across Ohio faced a wide variety of pests this growing season with one exception.

"We did not have the soybean aphid this year, which we thought we wouldn't," he said. Hammond expected aphid populations to return next year and rise and fall in a two-year cycle.

Hammond indicated that growers may have already paid the price for other pests such as slugs and rootworm.

"I don't think a lot of the yields are going to be that affected because a lot of the fields are treated," he said.

Although interrupted by heavy rains, Fayette County farmer Doug Miller felt good about his harvest.

"We've had some that's been in pretty good shape, and we've had some that's been pretty dry," Miller said of his soybeans.

"I think we've got better crops to harvest," he said. "At least I hope so in the days ahead."

Because harvest can be one of the most dangerous times on the farm, Darrel Rubel, OFBF director of volunteer development, reminded farmers to "listen to their common sense."

"Stop, look and listen. Don't be in a hurry because that's when accidents happen," he said.

Caption: Harvest was delayed for Fayette County farmer Doug Miller after heavy rains hit the area.